I'll Be The Anchor - Michael Clifford

It'll Take The Sea

I hadn't been gathering my belongings on the crew bus long before I felt my phone buzz.

Michael: are you ok?

Two things crossed my mind as I read the pixelated text. How did Michael have my number, I didn't give it to him, and why did he care?

Lennon: yes it's nothing how do you have my number?

I continued packing a little overnight bag and grabbed my pillow and laptop before I received a reply.

Michael: set myself a text from your phone sorry i am a sneak. are you sure, you don't have to come tonight i will cover for you.

That was so very sweet of him. That being said, I knew it was important that I went to their games thing. I needed to connect with them and they didn't really know me. I decided to suck it up.

Lennon: no, i want to come see you in like 5.

Michael: ok

I smiled at the speed of his reply, he seemed to be a very caring boy. I was glad to be surrounded by a good group.

I bid Henry farewell and boarded the 5SOS bus.

"Lennie!" Ashton shouted as I came on board. "Call of duty or halo 3?" He asked.

"Erm- either." I said, shrugging. I'd secretly hoped they'd meant board games.

"Michael, you choose." Calum called, bringing Michael into the back lounge.

"Halo 3." He answered, Ashton popping the game in.

"Do you want to play?" Michael asked me, his eyes meeting mine.

"I'm fine, I'll watch." I said.

It carried on like that for around an hour before Calum insisted on a game of truth or dare.

Everyone sat on the back couch as Calum began the game.

"Luke, truth or dare?" He asked.

"Dare. You know everything about me." He answered sticking his tongue out.

"Lick Michael's foot." Calum said.

"I've done that before." Luke pouted.

"So...?" Ashton prompted him.

"Fine." Luke did as he was supposed to do and it was surprisingly anticlimactic. No pictures taken, no video, just giggles.

"Now, your turn Luke." Calum said.

"Michael I dare you to... Eat a jalapeño with a marshmallow and ketchup."

"That's so random Luke." Michael protested. "Bring it on."

Somehow they scrounged up a marshmallow, ketchup and a jalapeño. Michael ate the mixture and gagged several times then brushed his teeth... Before returning to the couch.

"Go Michael." Ashton said bouncing about.

"Okay, Lennon. Truth or dare?"

Great I saw that coming. I guess I'll do what all girls do.

"Truth." I said.

"Have you ever kissed someone on this tour?" He asked, the other boy laughing a bit. They didn't realize they were playing with fire.

"Yes." I said. Looking at my hands.

"Who!" They all shouted.

"You didn't ask that." I smirked.

"Oh really... That game?" Luke asked.

"Yes, that game." I chuckled.

"Ugh this isn't fun anymore I'm kinda over it." Ashton said, huffing a bit. "Movie time?"

"Sure." I nodded. Everyone else seemed in agreement too. Michael suggested Star Trek and Calum found a copy of it to watch. Everyone got comfortable and laid about.

Me next to Michael, Luke at Michael's feet, Ashton on the other side of me, and Calum on the floor.

I tried my best to keep my eyes open as the movie rolled on and on. I just couldn't manage.

I felt someone softly shaking me and I fluttered my eyelids open. I knew I'd fallen asleep. I couldn't place where I was at first then I opened my eyes a bit more.

I was cuddled into Michael's side, his arm around me and my face in the crook of his neck. I moved away slightly.

"I'm sorry." I muttered.

"It's okay." He laughed lightly. "Bedtime, yes?"

"Yes." I smiled as I followed him in standing up.

"You're really okay?" He asked before we left the room with a sleeping Calum and Luke.

"I'm fine, lets not talk about it, okay?" I said.

"Okay, I'm another set if ears if you need me." Michael smiled brightly as I climbed into the bunk above him.

"I'll remember. Thanks Michael. That means the world to me." I felt my eyes closing quickly and I faintly heard him say something about wanting to help.